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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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Chap. Copyright No. 



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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



How Christmas Was Kept in Heaven 



How Christmas Was Kept 
in Heaven 



REV. NORMAN PLASS 

Author of " Buds that Bloom on Bonnier Banks ' 



"Therefore are they before the throne of God ; and they serve him day 
and night in his temple ; and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his 
tabernacle over them." — The Apocalypse. 



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New York Chicago Toronto 

Fleming H. Revell Company 

Publishers of Evangelical LiteratLiie 
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Copyright, 1899 [ O -^ *^ ' ^ 

FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY ' ' "-^ I 



TWO COPIES HECEIVED. 

Library of Congr«C% 
OfHcB of tl|« 

Register of Capyrlghffc 

49515 

DEDICATED 

TO MY LITTLE SON 

^ RAYMOND BENEDICT 

God-Sent from Heaven a Messenger of 
Joy to Lonely Hearts 



SECOND COPY* 



How Christmas Was Kept in Heaven 

A GROUP of children are gathered together 
Who have passed from earth to heaven this 
year; 
They are eagerly chatting, and questioning 
whether 
The Birth of the Christ they hold so dear 
Will be observed in the realms of heaven 

As it was last year upon the earth, 
When tokens that gladden the heart were 
given, 
And all was festivity, joy and mirth. 



" My children dear," speaks an angel near, 
" If you would know, to me give ear 
And all your doubts will 1 remove." 
It is Agape the Angel of Love. 

" What you have called the Birth of Christ 
Is to us the day He sacrificed 
The glories He had had with God, 
And chose the path by mortals trod. 



HOIV CHRISTMAS U/AS KEPT IN HEAI^EN 

It brought to earth a reign of peace, 

But wrought in heaven our joy's decrease; 

Gladness to you did it impart, 

But pain and grief to God's fond heart; 
Of what you gained was He bereft, 
For at His side was no child left; 

And heaven was lorn when Christ was 
gone, 

For in God's love He stood alone. 

" But since He sought the earth below 
To sound the depths of human woe 
And tread the press of wrath alone, 
That for man's sin He might atone, 
Angels who blessed His name before 
With endless anthems now adore; 

And saints whose souls His deeds redeem 
Make His acclaim their constant theme. 
But be assured we celebrate 
The time that marks a deed so great; 
Tomorrow comes the day you prize, — 
It is ' The Day of Sacrifice.' " 

The morrow dawned. Not such a dawning 

as is known 
To mortals on the earth beneath when 

night has flown, 

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HO^V CHRISTMAS IV^S KEPT IN HEAl^EN 

For night comes not in heaven and hence 

does not recede; 
Where none grow weary, rest and slumber 
none can need; 
They who are serving in God's temple 

night and day 
Mark not a shadow's fall nor note it§ 
flight away. 

Yet when the morning came, a brighter 

radiance shone 
Forth from the face of God and round 

about the throne; 
The streets and walls stood out in stronger 

gleams of light, 
And every jewel flashed with scintillations 

bright. 
Renewed alertness was apparent 

everywhere, 
For mortals were astir and needed 

special care. 



It is the dawning of the morning — 
The Anniversary Day — 
When Christ came forth from heaven 
And hope to earth was given. 

13 



HOPV CHRISTM/1S IV AS KEPT IN HEAl^EN 

We sing the story of the glory 
That He aside did lay, 
That He might come in meel<ness 
To be our strength in weakness. 



It is the voicing of rejoicing 
That drives all care away, 
For Christ dispels our sadness 
And sheds forth joy and gladness. 



But 'mid the praises earth upraises 
The saints in heaven hold sway; 
In radiant light they glisten; 
Let earth be still and listen. 



A COUNTLESS host that none can name, 
Of every tribe and tongue, 

In white array before the Lamb 
Join in their triumph song: 

' Salvation to our God belongs. 

Who sitteth on the throne; 

And endless praises to the Lamb, 

Whose deeds for sin atone." 
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HOIV CHRISTMAS IVAS KEPT IN HEAI/EN 

Then angels standing round the throne 

Upon their faces fall, 
And bowing low before their God 

Exalt Him Lord of all: 

" May blessing, glory, wisdom be 
Unto our sovereign Lord; 
Thanksgiving, honor, power and might. 
They chant with sweet accord. 

Then all respond with loudest praise 
That rings through Paradise; 

It is the welcome heaven gives 
The Day of Sacrifice: 

" We sing the praise 
Of Him who lays 

His heavenly glory by, 
And goes to earth 
Through humble birth, 

Its tasks to glorify. 

" Tempted was He 

As man must be. 
That He might lend him aid; 

In time of grief 

He brought relief, — 
'Tis I, be not afraid.' 

17 



HOIV CHRISTMAS IVAS KEPT IN HEAVEN 

" The thorns He wore, 

The cross He bore, 
Rejection was His lot; 

For man He died, 

The Crucified, 
Himself regarded not. 

" We mark the day 

He went away, 
Its memory preserve; 

We praise His name 

With loud acclaim. 
And in that name we serv-e." 



Then all are silent, and awaiting stand 
As though some special message to receive; 
God gives to each a mission to achieve — 

Angel and saint alike — in every land. 

Quickly they turn and gladly haste away; 
To hovel and to palace door they speed 
To minister to human woe and need 

Where'er the curse of sin holds regal sway. 

Their flight so fleet 

They joyous beat, 

And speed the way of weary feet. 

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HO IV CHRISTMAS IV AS KEPT IN HE Ay EN 

Burdens they lift 

With mercy swift, 

And deck woe-clouds with shining rift. 

The sick they bless, 

The sad caress, 

And fill each soul with happiness. 

Fond hope bestow 
Where'er they go, 
And set each heart with joy aglow. 



Behold them ranging earth's domain. 
Where to each home they access gain 
As noiselessly as taps the rain 
Of Summer 'gainst the window-pane. 

Hither and yon each swiftly darts. 
Soothing life's sharp and biting smarts, 
Bearing a balm to bleeding hearts, 
Healing earth's woes by heaven's best arts. 



When they are gone Agape waits — 

She only left behind; 
God turns to her and indicates 

Her welcome task assigned: 

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HOIV CHRISTMAS IVAS EPT IN HE/1VEN 

" Your work is with your children friends, 
To show the happy way 
In which the host of heaven spends 
What they call Christmas Day. 

" Be sure to have them comprehend 
That deeds of sacrifice 
Will everywhere the day attend 
Which they so greatly prize. 

" Let them engage in works of love, 
And lead them to achieve. 
That far more blessed it may prove 
To give than to receive." 



When Agape heard the message 

She with joy began her task; 
Gathering the children round her. 

First inquired what they would ask; 
Then to satisfy the longing 

Of each little throbbing heart. 
With them all atrailing after 

Did at once for earth depart: 
Went with them to every Kingdom; 

Showed them men in every State; 

Showed them where the lowly dwelleth; 

Showed the palace of the great; 
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HO IV CHRISTM/iS IV AS KEPT IN HEAVEN 

Showed them joy and showed them sorrow; 

Showed them gain and showed them loss; 
Showed them that what men most seek for . 

Is in heaven's sight but dross; 
Showed them how the heavenly message 

God had sent to earth that day 
By each messenger was carried. 

To each heart without delay; 
Let them see how it was welcomed, 

Or was spurned by bitter hearts, 
And how what to one brings gladness 

To another grief imparts; 
Let them see that while on Christmas 

All without is joy and mirth. 
Many, many a heart is burdened 

With a grief that bows to earth. 
Then she told them they might scatter 

To whatever points they chose, 
And might do what most they longed to 

That would lighten human woes; 
But when night began to gather. 

They should speed to Paradise 
And relate what they had witnessed 

On the Day of Sacrifice. 



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HOIV CHRISTMAS IVAS KEPT IN HEAl^EN 

Thus released they sped away; 
And their hearts were doubly glad 
For each child a message had 

For some friend that Christmas Day, 
So each on his mission hasted, 
Not a moment to be wasted. 



One went to see a lady 

Who kind to him had been 
Because he was an outcast, — 

The child of many a sin. 

He said: "Through what you taught me 

In heaven now I'm safe; 
God bless your soul this Christmas 

Because you loved a waif. 

"I thought you'd like to know it 
That happy you might be, 
And kind to other outcasts 
As you were kind to me." 

She heard the words of comfort, 

Forgot her friends at home, 
Went forth to seek the lost ones 

Wherever they might roam; 

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HOIV CHRISTMAS lVy4S KEPT IN HEAVEN 

Told them that Christ the Saviour 

hi love for them had died; 
And through what her lips taught them 

Their souls were satisfied. 



One went to a home of sorrow 

Where a mother was weeping sore 
Because God had taken the baby 

That on her breast she bore; 
Her heart overflowed with anguish, 

For "God has been cruel," she said; 
She nourished her thoughts of rebellion 

And would not be comforted. 

The one who comes now is the loved one 

Whom God had taken away; 
She had longed for his blessed presence 

For many and many a day. 
But now while she sits complaining 

That Christmas can have no joy, 
She feels in her arms so empty 

The form of her baby boy. 

He rests there as once he was resting 
When God came and took him away, 

Only now he looks so enraptured 
She dares not ask that he stay. 

29 



HO IV CHRISTMAS fVAS KEPT IN HEAVEN 

How blessed to have him with her, 
To feel his dear head on her breast! 

But she would no longer detain him 
Away from the land of the blest. 

So he flits away from her vision; 

She throws him a kiss as he goes; 
Sweet peace possesses her bosom; 

With rapture her heart overflows. 
Her sorrow has not departed, 

There are moments of sadness and pain. 
But now she turns her eyes upward 

Away from her loss to his gain. 



One visited a home where poverty 
Ground down the inmates to the last degree, 
Where flickering faith declined to longer stay. 
And love had almost found the path away; 
Where all was want and ruin and despair. 
Without fond hope intruding anywhere. 
He came to bring that hope, that faith restore, 
To bid that love abide forevermore. 
He pointed to the Christ, and bade endure 
Through thought of Him who on the earth was 
poor. 

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HO^ CHRISTMAS IVAS KEPT IN HEAI^EN 

They bade Christ enter, and the blessing brought 
In heart and home a transformation wrought; 
And then in place of craven want and fear 
There was enthroned the angel of good cheer. 



One went to cheer a drunkard, 
Who stood on ruin's brink 

Because he could not conquer 
His burning thirst for drink. 

Sitting upon a curbing 

Within an alley-way. 
His heart was filled with moanings 

That merry Christmas Day. 

"Cheer up, O man," a voice said: 
"There's no room for despair; 
I have just come from heaven 
And want to see you there. 

"Many a time you've fallen, 
Alone you cannot stand. 
But Jesus Christ can help you — 
Just let Him take your hand. 

33 



HOM/ CHRISTMAS IV /tS KEPT IN HEAVEN 

" He is the friend of sinners, 
He knows your every need; 
Look up to Him in weakness 
And you'll be strong indeed." 

The drunkard heard, and summoned 
What will-power still remained; 

Throwing himself on Jesus, 
The victory he gained. 

One hasted to see his father, 

Whose soul was sorely rent 
Because from the realm of spirits 

God's messenger was sent 
To take from the earth forever 

The only son that he had; 
Now he was bowed in bereavement, 

And his heart was lonely and sad. 

The face of the boy was clouded 

As to the father he came; 
As the father's look was somber, 

The child's reflected the same. 
" 1 am grieved, my dearest father. 

To see your heart so sad; 

If you knew my joy in heaven 

I am sure you would be glad. 
34 



HO IV CHRISTM/1S IV /IS KEPT IN HE A k^ EN 

"1 am happier far than I could be 

On earth with every joy; 
Beyond the power of the Tempter, 

My peace is without alloy; 
More useful far to the Master 

Than I on earth could be, 
My life is a stream of gladness 

That flows through eternity." 



The father saw how selfish 

The thought of his heart had been; 
He had lost sight of the blessing 

In the blindness of grief within. 
" If God will forgive my weakness 

As in penitence I come, 
I will learn to rejoice that my loved one 

Is safe in the heavenly home." 



One went to a home where plenty reigned. 
Where thought of want was not entertained; 
But where there were hearts dissatisfied 
Because they were ruled by selfish pride ; 
Where to get was the only object of living, 
And none ever had the thought of giving. 

37 



HO IV CHRISTMAS IV AS KEPT IN HEAVEN 

He told of those who were poorly clad, 
With countenance haggard and eyes that were 
sad; 
He told of needs that were pressing sore; 
Of hungry children that lived next door. 

Like a Christ-child he stood rebuking their 

greed, 
While pleading for those who were dying in 
need. 

Their hearts were never so touched before; 
They took at once of their bountiful store 
And sent it abroad to every home 
Where the specter of want could possibly 
come. 
Such a glad Christmas Day there never had been 
In the homes of the poor as there was then; 
But gladdest of all were the hearts that gave 

heed 
To the message of love that conquered their 
greed. 



Thus the children, sent from heaven, 

Went on messages of love; 
Went to those they loved the dearest; 

Turned their thoughts to things above; 

38 



HO IV CHRISTMAS IV AS KEPT IN HEAVEN 

Went in joy; returned in gladness; 

In their hearts a sweet surprise; 
Now they knew that choicest blessings 

Lay in deeds of sacrifice. 
Then rehearsed to one another, 

While Agape listened too, 
What they saw the angels doing, 

What they each were sent to do; 
Told the blessings that were granted 

To the friends to whom they went; 
Told the hope, the joy, the comfort, 

To each soul from heaven sent; 
Thought that Christmas as earth knew it 

Was not spent in any wise 
With one-half as much of pleasure 

As the Day of Sacrifice; 
Praised the Saviour for His goodness 

When He bade Agape say 
That the eternal years of heaven 

Should be one glad Christmas Day. 



41 



DEG 1 1899 



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